Dusty Hill and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top entertained their fans on stage during Wednesday night's concert at Westman Place. (BRUCE BUMSTEAD/BRANDON SUN)

For the 3,642 fans in Westman Place in the Keystone Centre, the latest period piece to plow through the Wheat City — Mötley Crüe, KISS and Heart were the others in recent times — delivered what it was supposed to and spent little time on new material.

A few more pics

Related Items

Articles

That number of fans was in the ballpark with the 3,552 for KISS (with its very expensive tickets) and 4,010 for Mötley Crüe. Last night that meant 19 per cent of available seats were, well, available.

The staging was the sparsest yet offered by the big-name classic rockers who have been picking up extra pocket cash by playing Brandon, usually the night before an appearance at Winnipeg’s MTS Centre.

However, while KISS and Crüe brought pretty much all of the glam and glitter, pyro and props folks in larger centres would enjoy, ZZ Top performed on a smallish, unadorned stage with simple lighting and two small video screens flanking Frank Beard’s drum kit.

That allowed more focus to be on the music.

The legendary Southern rockers have a timeless sound that appeals to a wide variety of folks, hence the largely older group of people in attendance last night — but more than a few younger types were sprinkled about.

The expected 18-song set (with what has included a two-song encore on this "La Futura" tour, named for its 15th studio album) kicked off with a poor mix and "Got Me Under Pressure," from the 1983 album "Eliminator."

The mix got together and the volume louder by the fourth tune — and major hit — "Gimme All Your Lovin’", followed by a kinda sloppy version of "I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide."

Clad in nearly identical rhinestone embroidered jackets, dark pants and beige fedoras, guitarist and lead vocalist Billy Gibbons and bassist and co-lead vocalist Dusty Hill did look their age underneath all that facial hair.

But while there might be a few more miles of gravel on their sweaty pipes, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members showed they can still muster up some sexy soul and swagger.

By press time — after a steamy delivery of "I Gotsta Get Paid," an example of some newer material from the band that harkens back to its 1969 beginnings, while pinning itself into modern times — the trio was sliding on some "Cheap Sunglasses."

It had yet to offer "Sharp Dressed Man," "La Grange" or "Legs."

Flash Lightnin’ opened the show with its critically-defined "stompin’ boogie woogie" that played to a half-empty arena as people were making their way into the venue.

Some long lines at the security entrances — and at the liquor stands inside on the mezzanine — meant the Toronto-based power trio had to dig deep for inspiration to put on a show for the few folks on the floor who seemed to be engaged by the band.

This article has not yet been rated.

We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.

You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.

Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.

You can comment on most stories on brandonsun.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments.
All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

There are no comments at the moment. Be the first to post a comment below.

Post Your Comment

Error

The following error(s) occurred:

You forgot to fill in the comment box.

confirm comment

The following is the comment that you have written. If you like what you have written, select the submit button and the comment will be sent to the Brandon Sun. If you would like to go back and edit your comment, select the edit button.

Comment

You have characters left

The Brandon Sun does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

Brandon’s classic rock review continued last night, this time with MTV-generation mainstays, ZZ Top.

For a band that held the spotlight throughout the ’70s and ’80s, this trio still knows how to rock and really roll out a show.